Trump Sets Two‑Week Deadline on US Involvement in Iran–Israel Conflict

/*Trump's Threat: Nuclear Strike and "Bunker-Busters*/ Trump emphasized that America has to consider whether or not military action is the solution to ending Iran's nuclear drive. Trump threatened to send over large "bunker-buster" bombs against deeply buried facilities like Fordow, saying: "I will make my decision … in the next two weeks". He also publicly stated that his intelligence community, referring to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, was "wrong" for asserting that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon, doubling down on his claim that Iran is near weaponization. Previously, he had referred to Israeli attacks as "very successful" and warned Iran that its window for an agreement was closed—a shift from looking for diplomacy to preparing for escalation.

/*Diplomatic Solution Still On the Table*/ Despite Eisenhower-era bravado, Trump also indicated that diplomacy with Iran remains a possibility. There's a "substantial chance" diplomatic actions will be what sets the outcome, said Leavitt. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has had back-channel meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Iran is reported to have indicated that it's open to negotiations, provided Israeli strikes cease. However, Araghchi has expressed significant doubt about trusting the U.S. after the Israeli strikes occurred just before scheduled talks, suggesting that the diplomacy might have been a "cover-up" for planned military action. He has also reiterated that Iran would not give up uranium enrichment as a national right.

/*Israel Relations Tightened*/ Trump made clear his stance: "The United States can act solo or together with Israel, as particularly against nuclear facilities outside of Israel's reach." Trump supported Israeli moves and said America would back it "if attacked". Officials say this is both a signal of deterrence to Tehran and one of reassurance to Israeli leaders such as Prime Minister Netanyahu, who welcomed Trump's "unwavering commitment." Some sources have suggested that the U.S. had prior knowledge of Israel's initial attacks on June 13, despite initially characterizing them as unilateral actions.

/*Stakes and Global Reactions*/ World opinion is still split. In Geneva, European foreign ministers reaffirmed their resistance to escalation, warning that U.S. involvement would produce regional war. Trump's proposal of sitting in the middle of Iran and Israel also drew hesitant interest, while Tehran waits for an Israeli suspension of attacks first. As U.S. forces shift in the region, the course in the next two weeks could determine if diplomacy prevails—or war erupts. Many analysts view Trump's "two-week" deadline more as a negotiation tactic to pressure Iran rather than a firm timeline for military intervention. As U.S. forces shift in the region, the course in the next two weeks could determine if diplomacy prevails—or war erupts.